LISTEN-IN

LISTEN-IN is a pioneering Austrian research initiative dedicated to transforming healthcare for individuals experiencing homelessness or precarious housing who are also navigating the complexities of a cancer diagnosis. In a society where social inequality creates invisible barriers to care, the project seeks to dismantle these obstacles through participatory action and systemic change. The initiative is built on the fundamental belief that those who live through these challenges are the true experts. To capture these lived experiences, LISTEN-IN utilizes the PhotoVoice method, allowing participants to document their daily realities through photography and storytelling. These visual narratives provide a raw and authentic look at the intersection of displacement and illness, serving as a powerful catalyst for both individual empowerment and systemic sensitivity.

By strengthening the individual health literacy of those affected, the project helps them navigate the complex medical landscape more effectively. Simultaneously, LISTEN-IN measures and improves the organizational health competence of social and medical institutions to ensure they are accessible, welcoming, and responsive to marginalized groups. The project acts as a bridge between patients, healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers, fostering a collaborative environment to develop sustainable solutions for more inclusive care while reducing the social stigma and prejudice associated with homelessness and cancer.

Through public exhibitions, workshops, and strategic publications, the project raises public and political awareness and provides a transferable model for social justice that can be adapted to support any disadvantaged group within the healthcare system. The core research objectives focus on strengthening individual health literacy through participatory methods and promoting organizational health literacy by sensitizing service providers to the specific needs of the target group. By adapting clinical processes and developing actionable recommendations, LISTEN-IN strives for social and political sensitization and the creation of a resilient, inclusive healthcare framework that prioritizes social justice in oncology.

For more questions on the LISTEN-IN project please contact Igor Grabovac.